Laundry basket

ABSTRACT

An improved laundry basket structured and arranged to collapse for easy, space-saving storage when not in use ideal for use in the home, in a laundromat, or for general utility purposes in any home or business, including salons and spas.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of basket devices and more specifically relates to an improved laundry basket structured and arranged to collapse for easy, space-saving storage when not in use ideal for use in the home, in a laundromat, or for general utility purposes in any home or business, including salons and spas.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Consider, for example, the millions of households that possess and use a washing machine and dryer for laundering clothes, towels, and bedding; and the millions more who rely on coin-operated laundromats in their neighborhoods. In-home washers and dryers offer the consumer great convenience and efficiency—but they do require the householder to transport dirty laundry to the laundry room, and clean laundry back to bedrooms, bathrooms, and closets. This fact points out a need on the part of householders (whether or not they have an in-home washer/dryer) for an easy way to collect and transport clothes and other laundry.

A hamper refers to one of several related basket-like items. In North America, the term generally refers to a household receptacle, often a basket, for clean (out of the dryer or off the line) or dirty clothing, regardless of its composition, i.e. “a laundry hamper”. Typically a laundry hamper is used for storage and will be sturdier, taller and have a lid while a laundry basket is open and used mainly for transport. The open ventilation and the sturdiness offered by a hamper has made it suitable for the transport of food, hence the use of the picnic hamper.

At one time it was common for laundry services to leave a large basketwork container with a lid which is now commonly referred to as a clothes hamper. The same type of container would be used to return clean clothing, which would be put away by the laundry service and the empty container left in place of the full container for later pickup

Consider further that while a conventional laundry hamper might meet this need, many households lack the space that such a hamper or basket requires. The invention to be presented and explored in this report would offer an affordable, appealing solution, one that virtually any household could use and appreciate. And since the average American household does about 300 loads of laundry each year.

Various attempts have been made to solve problems found in basket devices art. Among these are found in: U.S. Patent No. 20130270131 to Jon-Yie Shieh; U.S. Patent No. 20080135548 to Kuang-Huan Fu; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,938,789 to Felix Matias, Ercilia Matias. This prior art is representative of collapsible basket devices.

Ideally, an improved laundry basket should be user-friendly and safe in-use and yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for an improved laundry basket structured and arranged to collapse for easy, space-saving storage when not in use ideal for use in the home, in a laundromat, or for general utility purposes in any home or business, including salons and spas and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known of basket device art, the present invention provides a novel improved laundry basket. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide an improved laundry basket structured and arranged to collapse for easy, space-saving storage when not in use ideal for use in the home, in a laundromat, or for general utility purposes in any home or business, including salons and spas.

An improved laundry basket comprising: bottom panel 110; first side panel; a second side panel; a third side panel; and a fourth side panel. The bottom panel includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes: a first side edge; a second side edge located opposite from the first side edge; an outer edge located in between the first and second side edges; and a pivot edge located in between the first and second side edges and located opposite the outer edge, including at least one hinge member: and a stop ridge thereon.

The second portion includes: a first side edge; a second side edge located opposite from the first side edge; an outer edge located in between the first and second side edges; and a pivot edge including at least one hinge member and at least one stop ridge. Wherein the at least one hinge member of the pivot edge of the first portion pivotally connects with the at least one hinge member of the pivot edge of the second portion, such that the first portion is pivotally connected to the second portion. Wherein the at least one stop ridge of the first portion is adapted to contact a respective the at least one stop ridge of the second portion when the first portion is in a parallel position with the second portion, such that the bottom panel becomes rigid when in use, and is adapted to fold upward when configured for storage.

The first side panel includes: a bottom edge; a top edge located opposite from the bottom edge, including a handle portion adapted to allow a user to grip the first side panel; a first side edge in between the bottom and top edges; and a second side edge in between the bottom and top edges and located opposite the first side edge. Wherein the bottom edge is pivotally connected to the outer edge of the first portion of the bottom panel.

The second side panel including: a bottom edge; a top edge located opposite from the bottom edge, including a handle portion adapted to allow a user to grip the first side panel; a first side edge in between the bottom and top edges; and a second side edge in between the bottom and top edges and located opposite the first side edge. Wherein the bottom edge is pivotally connected to the outer edge of the second portion of the bottom panel.

The third side panel includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion including: a side edge pivotally connected to the first side edge of the first side panel; and a pivot edge located opposite from the side edge. The second portion includes a side edge pivotally connected to the first side edge of the second side panel; and a pivot edge. Wherein the pivot edge of the first portion is pivotally connected with the pivot edge of the second portion, such that the third side panel is adapted to fold outwardly when configured for storage.

The fourth side panel includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a side edge pivotally connected to the second side edge of the first side panel; and a pivot edge located opposite from the side edge. The second portion includes a side edge pivotally connected to the second side edge of the second side panel; and a pivot edge. Wherein the pivot edge of the first portion is pivotally connected with the pivot edge of the second portion, such that the third side panel is adapted to fold outwardly when configured for storage.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as an Improved Laundry Basket. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, an Improved laundry basket, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a bottom panel of an Improved laundry basket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the Improved laundry basket in an in-use condition with the bottom panel being rigid according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the Improved laundry basket configured for storage according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the Improved laundry basket in another in-use condition with garments inside having a rectangular configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a basket device and more particularly to an improved laundry basket structured and arranged to collapse for easy, space-saving storage when not in use ideal for use in the home, in a laundromat, or for general utility purposes in any home or business, including salons and spas.

Generally speaking, the Improved Laundry Basket would be fabricated in a sturdy and durable injection-molded thermoplastic polymer, scratch-resistant and impervious to mold or mildew. The Basket, in the open, working state, would measure 18¾ inches in (top to bottom) height; 7 inches in (front to back) depth; and 10½ inches in (side to side) width. The design is such that the Improved Laundry Basket, when opened for use, locks into place at these dimensions.

To collapse the basket for storage, the bottom or “floor” of the basket folds upward; the two sides fold inward and the bottom folds outward, such that the collapsed basket will make a relatively flat package; a flat package easily stowed beside a washer/dryer, on a closet shelf, or in any number of places: out of the way, yet ready for immediate assembly and use. (The Improved Laundry Basket might feature pre-creased, easy folding side, bottom, and top panels, or have sets of hinges incorporated into its plastic panels as molded; and the top sides of the Basket would likely feature a pair of molded, cut-out carry handles.) The Improved Laundry Basket would be produced in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, permitting the various members of a household to “color-code” their baskets, and more.

The great advantage of the Improved Laundry Basket, clearly, is its simple, space-saving convenience. Here is a laundry basket that can be used as a hamper for dirty clothes; easily transported to the laundry room; used as a receptacle for clean, folded laundry; then returned for further use as a hamper—or stored on a closet shelf awaiting its next use. The Improved Laundry Basket would take practically no space at all to store, making it ideal for those consumers living in apartment buildings and other multi-unit housing (including dorm rooms in colleges) where laundry must be transported to and from a laundry room. Sturdy, durable, easy to use and built to last, the “Light as a feather, yet sturdy as a rock” Improved Laundry Basket would also make a terrific, all-purpose, fold-out and fold-away utility bin in any home or business.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIGS. 1-3, perspective views illustrating improved laundry basket 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Improved laundry basket 100 comprising: bottom panel 110; first side panel 200; second side panel 230; third side panel 260; and fourth side panel 280. Bottom panel 110 includes first portion 120 and second portion 160. First portion 120 includes: first side edge 122; second side edge 130 located opposite from first side edge 122; outer edge 140 located in between first side edge 122 and second side edge 130; and pivot edge 150 located in between first side edge 122 and second side edge 130 and located opposite outer edge 140, including at least one hinge member 152: and stop ridge 156 thereon. Second portion 160 includes: first side edge 162; second side edge 170 located opposite from first side edge 162; outer edge 180 located in between first side edge 162 and second side edge 170; and pivot edge 190 including at least one hinge member 192 and at least one stop ridge 196. Wherein at least one hinge member 152 of pivot edge 150 of first portion 120 pivotally connects with the at least one hinge member 192 of pivot edge 190 of second portion 160, such that first portion 120 is pivotally connected to second portion 160. Wherein at least one stop ridge 156 of first portion 120 is adapted to contact a respective at least one stop ridge 196 of second portion 160 when first portion 120 is in a parallel position with second portion 160, such that bottom panel 110 becomes rigid when in use as shown in FIG. 2, and is adapted to fold upward when configured for storage as show in FIG. 3.

Wherein pivot edge 150 of first portion 120 of bottom panel 110 includes a series of spaced hinge members 152 each including stop ridge 156 thereon; wherein pivot edge 190 of second portion 160 of bottom panel 110 includes a series of spaced hinge members 192 each including stop ridge 196 thereon; wherein the series of spaced hinge members 152 of pivot edge 150 of first portion 120 interdigitate with and pivotally connect with the series of spaced hinge members 192 of pivot edge 190 of second portion 160; and wherein stop ridge members 156 of first portion 120 are adapted to contact respective stop ridge members 196 of second portion 160 when first portion 120 is in a parallel position with second portion 160, such that bottom panel 110 becomes rigid when in use (FIG. 2), and is adapted to fold upward when configured for storage (FIG. 3).

First side panel 200 includes: bottom edge 204; top edge 216 located opposite from bottom edge 204, including handle portion 220 adapted to allow a user to grip first side panel 200; first side edge 208 in between bottom edge 204 and top edge 216; and second side edge 212 in between bottom edge 204 and top edge 216 and located opposite first side edge 208. Wherein bottom edge 204 is pivotally connected to outer edge 140 of first portion 120 of bottom panel 110.

Second side panel 230 includes: bottom edge 234; top edge 246 located opposite from bottom edge 234, including handle portion 250 adapted to allow a user to grip the second side panel 230; first side edge 238 in between bottom edge 234 and top edge 246; and second side edge 242 in between bottom edge 234 and top edge 246 and located opposite first side edge 238. Wherein bottom edge 234 is pivotally connected to outer edge 180 of second portion 160 of bottom panel 110.

Wherein handle portion 220 of first side panel 200 and handle portion 250 of second side panel 230 of respective top edge 216 of first side panel 200 and top edge 246 of second side panel 230 are formed as elongated apertures extending therethrough. Handle portion 220 of first side panel 200 and handle portion 250 of second side panel 230 include cushioning material 224 surrounding the elongated apertures (handle portion 220 and handle portion 250).

Third side panel 260 includes first portion 262 and second portion 270. First portion 262 includes: side edge 264 pivotally connected to first side edge 122 of first side panel 120; and pivot edge 266 located opposite from side edge 264. Second portion 270 includes side edge 272 pivotally connected to first side edge 238 of second side panel 230; and pivot edge 274. Wherein pivot edge 266 of first portion 262 is pivotally connected with pivot edge 274 of second portion 270, such that third side panel 260 is adapted to fold outwardly when configured for storage as shown in FIG. 3.

Fourth side panel 280 includes first portion 282 and second portion 290. First portion 282 includes side edge 284 pivotally connected to second side edge 212 of first side panel 200; and pivot edge 286 located opposite from side edge 284. Second portion 290 includes side edge 292 pivotally connected to second side edge 242 of second side panel 230; and pivot edge 294. Wherein pivot edge 286 of first portion 282 is pivotally connected with pivot edge 294 of second portion 290, such that fourth side panel 280 is adapted to fold outwardly when configured for storage as shown in FIG. 3.

Wherein pivotal connections between third side panel 260 and first side panel 200 and second side panel 230, and fourth side panel 280 and first side panel 200 and second side panel 230 are formed from a flexible material connected therebetween; and wherein the pivotal connections between first portion 262 and second portion 270 of third side panel 270 and first portion 282 and second portion 290 of fourth side panel 280 are formed from a flexible material connected therebetween. Wherein the flexible material of the pivotal connections is chosen from a list of flexible materials consisting of rubber, plastic, and silicone. Wherein bottom panel 110, first side panel 200 and second side panel 230, and first portion 262 and second portion 270 of third side panel 270 and first portion 282 and second portion 290 of fourth side panel 280 are formed from injection molded plastic.

Wherein bottom panel 110, first side panel 200 and second side panel 230, and first portion 262 and second portion 270 of third side panel 270 and first portion 282 and second portion 290 of fourth side panel 280 each include plurality of apertures 104 therethrough adapted to reduce the overall weight of improved laundry basket 100. Wherein in an in-use configuration bottom panel 110, first side panel 200 and second side panel 230, and first portion 262 and second portion 270 of third side panel 270 and first portion 282 and second portion 290 of fourth side panel 280 may form rectangular inner volume as shown in FIG. 4. Wherein in an in-use configuration bottom panel 110, first side panel 200 and second side panel 230, and first portion 262 and second portion 270 of third side panel 270 and first portion 282 and second portion 290 of fourth side panel 280 may form a square inner volume rectangular inner volume as shown in FIG. 2.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved laundry basket comprising: a bottom panel including: a first portion including: a first side edge; a second side edge located opposite from said first side edge; an outer edge located in between said first and second side edges; and a pivot edge located in between said first and second side edges and located opposite said outer edge, including: at least one hinge member: and a stop ridge thereon; a second portion including: a first side edge; a second side edge located opposite from said first side edge; an outer edge located in between said first and second side edges; and a pivot edge including: at least one hinge member: and at least one stop ridge; wherein said at least one hinge member of said pivot edge of said first portion pivotally connects with said at least one hinge member of said pivot edge of said second portion, such that said first portion is pivotally connected to said second portion; and wherein said at least one stop ridge of said first portion is adapted to contact a respective said at least one stop ridge of said second portion when said first portion is in a parallel position with said second portion, such that said bottom panel becomes rigid when in use, and is adapted to fold upward when configured for storage; a first side panel including: a bottom edge; wherein said bottom edge is pivotally connected to said outer edge of said first portion of said bottom panel; a top edge located opposite from said bottom edge, including: a handle portion adapted to allow a user to grip said first side panel; a first side edge in between said bottom and top edges; and a second side edge in between said bottom and top edges and located opposite said first side edge; a second side panel including: a bottom edge; wherein said bottom edge is pivotally connected to said outer edge of said second portion of said bottom panel; a top edge located opposite from said bottom edge, including: a handle portion adapted to allow a user to grip said second side panel; a first side edge in between said bottom and top edges; and a second side edge in between said bottom and top edges and located opposite said first side edge; a third side panel including: a first portion including: a side edge pivotally connected to said first side edge of said first side panel; and a pivot edge located opposite from said side edge; and a second portion including: a side edge pivotally connected to said first side edge of said second side panel; and a pivot edge; wherein said pivot edge of said first portion is pivotally connected with said pivot edge of said second portion, such that said third side panel is adapted to fold outwardly when configured for storage; a fourth side panel including: a first portion including: a side edge pivotally connected to said second side edge of said first side panel; and a pivot edge located opposite from said side edge; and a second portion including: a side edge pivotally connected to said second side edge of said second side panel; and a pivot edge; wherein said pivot edge of said first portion is pivotally connected with said pivot edge of said second portion, such that said fourth side panel is adapted to fold outwardly when configured for storage.
 2. The improved laundry basket of claim 1, wherein said pivot edge of said first portion of said bottom panel includes a series of spaced hinge members each including a stop ridge thereon; wherein said pivot edge of said second portion of said bottom panel includes a series of spaced hinge members each including a stop ridge thereon; wherein said series of spaced hinge members of said pivot edge of said first portion interdigitate with and pivotally connect with said series of spaced hinge members of said pivot edge of said second portion; and wherein said stop ridge members of said first portion are adapted to contact respective said stop ridge members of said second portion when said first portion is in a parallel position with said second portion, such that said bottom panel becomes rigid when in use, and is adapted to fold upward when configured for storage.
 3. The improved laundry basket of claim 1, wherein said pivotal connections between said third side panel and said first and second side panels, and said fourth side and said first and second side panels are formed from a flexible material connected therebetween; and wherein said pivotal connections between said first and second portions of respective said third and fourth side panels are formed from a flexible material connected therebetween.
 4. The improved laundry basket of claim 3, wherein said flexible material of said pivotal connections is chosen from a list of flexible materials consisting of rubber, plastic, and silicone.
 5. The improved laundry basket of claim 1, wherein said bottom panel, said first and second side panels, and said first and second portions of said third and fourth side panels are formed from injection molded plastic.
 6. The improved laundry basket of claim 1, wherein said handle portions of respective said top edges of said first and second side panels are formed as elongated apertures extending therethrough.
 7. The improved laundry basket of claim 6, wherein said handle portions includes a cushioning material surrounding said elongated apertures.
 8. The improved laundry basket of claim 1, wherein said bottom panel, said first and second side panels, and said first and second portions of said third and fourth side panels each include a plurality of apertures therethrough adapted to reduce the overall weight of said improved laundry basket.
 9. The improved laundry basket of claim 1, wherein in an in-use configuration said bottom panel, said first and second side panels, and said first and second portions of said third and fourth side panels form a rectangular inner volume.
 10. The improved laundry basket of claim 1, wherein in an in-use configuration said bottom panel, said first and second side panels, and said first and second portions of said third and fourth side panels form a square inner volume. 